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Three children sit at desks in a classroom. Two children in the background have their hands raised, whilst the child in the foreground looks towards them. Books and school supplies are on their desks.
 

Acoustic solutions for education facilities

 

Why acoustics matter in classrooms and other educational spaces

Good classroom acoustics are essential for learning, teaching, and wellbeing. When sound environments are poor, students struggle to understand speech, lose focus, and experience higher stress. Teachers face vocal strain and fatigue.
Ignoring acoustics means compromised learning outcomes and less comfortable teaching conditions. Addressing them early in the design process creates durable, future-proof environments that support concentration and collaboration.

 
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How good acoustics support learning and teaching

Why acoustics matter in learning spaces

Learning depends on being able to hear, understand, and be heard. Many students speaking at once in group work typically creates the Lombard effect where noise breeds noise.

In classrooms background noise, poor speech clarity, and long reverberation times make it harder for students to concentrate and more stressful for teachers, impacting the overall performance in schools.

A child in a bright yellow jacket sits on wide wooden steps in a modern, sunlit building, whilst others move quickly up and down the stairs, creating a blur of motion around them.
Pupils sitting in a sofa in an open-learning area with suspended acoustic ceiling.

Benefits for students and teachers

A well-designed acoustic environment makes learning spaces work better for everyone, every day.

  • Clear speech intelligibility for better understanding and less misinterpreted instructions
  • Reduced stress and improved wellbeing for students and teachers
  • Inclusive learning environments for all, including those with special hearing or communication needs
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Get deeper research insights on school acoustics

We know acoustics

By aiming higher than basic acoustic requirements, learning spaces can be more inclusive, particularly for neurodivergent students, while still supporting teachers and all learners. Designing a good sound environment supports critical thinking and collaborative dialogue, speech communication activities, which are increasingly recognised as essential to equip learners to be curious and thrive in the world ahead. This is fundamental for environments to support health and wellbeing for the occupants.

“We focus on building a better understanding of how indoor environments affect teaching, learning and educational outcomes. To do that, we work closely with universities around the world on research projects. We’re also long-term partners of EU SchoolNet’s Future Classroom Lab in Brussels, and active local partners in the FCL.dk initiative in Copenhagen.”

Colin Campbell, Global Concept Developer for Education Environments

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Acoustic requirements for educational spaces

Students walk through a brightly lit school corridor with colourful floors, yellow lockers, and circular ceiling panels; one pupil looks up while others move around. A clock on the wall shows the time.

Successful educational environments typically include:

  • Class A sound absorption to reduce overall noise levels
  • Reduced reverberation time for improved speech intelligibility, making it easier for students to follow and teachers to be understood
  • Control of low frequency sound, which interferes speech clarity by blurring 
  • Support for inclusive learning, including students with special hearing and communication needs
  • Acoustic solutions adapted to room use, size and activity type

Acoustic design for educational spaces

Teacher and students in classroom with wall absorbers

How to improve comfort, focus and communication

An acoustic ceiling is the most effective starting point for improving acoustics in educational spaces, as it significantly reduces reverberation and background noise.

When combined with acoustic wall absorbers, ceilings help manage both mid and low frequencies, creating balanced sound environments for teaching, discussion and group work. Ecophon solutions allow acoustic performance to be integrated with architectural design through coordinated materials, colours and edge details.

Different learning spaces place different demands on acoustics:

  • Classrooms: focus on speech intelligibility and low frequency control
  • Open learning environments: require zoning to limit distraction and noise spread
  • Sports halls and corridors: require impact-resistant acoustic solutions without compromising sound absorption
  • Canteens: need robust acoustic solutions that reduce overall noise levels and reverberation, supporting conversation and comfort in busy, social spaces

The Ecophon Activity-Based Acoustic Design model supports architects and consultants in selecting the right acoustic configuration based on room function and user behaviour.

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Get acoustic design tips for school spaces
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Choose the right acoustic products for learning environments

Learning spaces can be demanding with high activity, varying noise levels and different types of use throughout the day. The right acoustic solution depends on how each space is used and the demands it needs to meet.

Our products are designed to handle everyday use in schools with features such as impact-resistant solutions for busy environments, improved low-frequency performance, and systems that allow tiles to be easily replaced. Together with a wide choice of formats and installation options, this helps you meet both acoustic and practical requirements.

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See all products for learning spaces

Did you know?

In a typical classroom, students can miss important information simply because they cannot hear clearly. Good acoustics are essential for both learning and wellbeing. With the Ecophon Acoustic Calculator, you can predict how a classroom will sound and explore solutions – even before the space is built.

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Go to Ecophon Acoustic Calculator
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An acoustic ceiling is the most effective way to reduce noise levels and create a sound environment that will improve both wellbeing and work performance.

A modern, monochromatic green room with a desk labelled THE LAB in white and yellow letters, featuring sound equipment, a mannequin, speakers, and a microphone on a stand. Circular panels decorate the back wall.

What is reverberation time and why does it matter in classrooms?

Visit The Lab to watch our short explanatory video about reverberation time and other acoustic phenomena.

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Visit The Lab

Cases

Case study: Hiukkavaara School and Community Centre

From noise to focus: a school shaped around real learning

The Hiukkavaara School and Community Centre demonstrates the importance of integrating acoustics early in the planning of educational buildings with multiple functions and users.

Close collaboration between acoustic designers, architects and users helped reduce unnecessary distractions, improve teacher voice comfort and create a flexible, inclusive learning environment.

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Read the full case

Explore more cases & projects

A modern school corridor with grey carpet, circular seats, and hexagonal alcoves in the wall. Several children in uniform are reading or working in the seating areas. The space is bright with natural light.

East Calder Primary School

East Calder, United Kingdom

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A spacious, modern atrium with multiple levels and green seating areas. Large skylights let in natural light. People are sitting, walking, and socialising, while balconies overlook the open central area.

Fife College

Dunfermline, United Kingdom

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National Institute for Early Child Development and Inclusion

Belgrade, Serbia

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A fairy tale school? No, just a new generation school in Zamienie, Poland

More and more local authorities are realising how important good acoustics in school premises are in promoting the development of young pupils. There is an increasing desire to introduce new standards early on when planning and designing schools. The best example of this is the recently opened primary school in the Warsaw suburb of Zamienie.

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Frequently asked questions and answers

 

Tools & documentation

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Ecophon Acoustic Calculator

Get a sense of what a room will sound like before it's been built. With Ecophon Acoustic Calculator you will be able to estimate acoustic values already at the drawing table.

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Ecophon Immersive Acoustic Experience

We have developed virtual reality audio tools that demonstrate the critical difference between good and bad acoustics to our clients when on-site visits are unfeasible.

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Education research summary

Explore the definitive evidence linking the impact acoustics and noise has in learning environments and students’ ability to learn.

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Ecophon Education Guide

A great education starts with great resources. Learn more about the importance of optimising acoustics in educational environments, and our experts’ advice for achieving it in every learning space.

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